The latest Manchester United transfer news as they continue to be linked with Carlos Baleba.
Carlos Baleba is being linked with a move to Manchester United.
Carlos Baleba is being linked with a move to Manchester United.(Image: Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Manchester United are reportedly continuing to explore whether a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba can be agreed this summer. Ruben Amorim's side have emerged as possible contenders to sign the highly-rated Cameroon international as they look to add reinforcements to their engine room.
According to The Athletic, talks have already been held with intermediaries on United's behalf, to assess Baleba's willingness to swap the AMEX Stadium for Old Trafford, the salary and the valuation from the Seagulls. They claim that Fabio Hurzeler's side do not want to sell the 21-year-old and prefer to keep him for - at least - another season.
However, it has been said that there is more determination to reshape the Portuguese's squad in his first transfer window adding a 'top-level' No.6-type player.
It has been claimed that Baleba heads the list of targets after an impressive two seasons in the Premier League - but the caveat is that competition is set to be fierce next summer as he enters the final two years of his contract.
Interestingly, the report adds that a number of United players have been in contact with Baleba over a move to Old Trafford, explaining the ambitions of the club - and the current landscape - but any deal is likely to come at a significant cost.
With the transfer window in its final few weeks, the suggestion is that the club are not expected to bid unless there is real chance of success but, following the splurge of attacking trio; Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, the club require sale to balance the books and fund a move.
Baleba has already received praise from his professional peers, while reported one-time United target Amadou Onana admitted he was left in awe by his midfield teammate during their time together at Lille.
"When I arrived, he was playing with the B team," he told Inside Scoop.
"I just saw a strong kid, he's the strongest kid I've ever seen.
"Jacked! He used to come up [to train with the first team] and be free, he'd bully the pros.
"He's done his thing and I always knew he had what it takes to get to the high level.
"He's a really good kid, really humble, he works hard."
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